KARACHI: The government has finalized a framework for monitoring misleading information about the corona virus on both mainstream and social media and directed media regulators to crack down on those who spread ‘fake news’.
The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) last week formed a committee headed by Home Minister Brigadier (retd) Ijaz Shah to develop a legal framework to combat the spread of counterfeit information about the global epidemic.
The first meeting of the Committee for the Prevention of Misleading Information on Corona Virus, headed by Interior Minister Ijaz Shah, was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday.
Apart from the Home Minister, the committee also included Dr Faisal Sultan, the Prime Minister’s Focal Person for Corona Virus, and Dr Arsalan Khalid, the Focal Person for Digital Media, as ‘Senior Members’.
These include Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Cell, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) Cyber Vigilance and Web. Analysis Departments, NCOC Analytical Group, as well as officials from the Ministry of Health and Information.
According to a press release, Interior Minister Ijaz Shah said, “We will take stern action against the spread of misinformation about the corona virus.”
The Home Minister directed the Director of FI’s Cyber Crime Wing to monitor the media and hold those responsible for spreading false information responsible for their actions.
He reiterated that strict and immediate action should be taken against such individuals.